A friend on Facebook talked about this great new Italian cafe in the heart of Beverly Hills, I reached out to owner Nando, and he was so pleased for me to come and try his super authentic, delicious Italian food.
Castanea Sicilian Café Story:
The team behind this amazing café is Nando and Rose, happily married with one child. Both have Sicilian roots and were lucky to have spent every summer on the beautiful Island of Sicily. Their philosophy: If you create something the world has never seen before, there’s probably a pretty interesting story behind it. A typical Sicilian lightheartedness, delicious traditional food and the Italian coffee culture is what they grew up with, and what they both cherished most.
Castanea, meaning chestnut in Latin, is inspired by “Il Castagno dei Cento Cavalli,” the world’s oldest chestnut tree on Mount Etna in Sicily. Legend has it the tree sheltered a princess and her 100 horsemen during a sudden storm, symbolizing protection and timeless Sicilian heritage. Their name and design are inspired by this tree, the four chestnuts in their logo symbolize their heritage, strength, and resilience. The colors reflect the Italian flag, celebrating their Sicilian roots and the rich culture of Italy. The interior design brings a piece of Sicily to life, with walls adorned in patterns inspired by traditional Majolica tiles—an iconic symbol of Italian craftsmanship. Each detail creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere, making you feel at home while you enjoy their offerings.
From Sicily to Stuttgart (Germany) Nando and Rose have really become super accomplished. First with their Venice Beach location, now Beverly Hills location, and Hollywood. This is their journey through family, food, and coffee. Nando with his family, who were already embracing and celebrating “il dolce far niente”, an Italian phrase that translates to the sweetness of doing nothing. In 1998, the idea of a cafe emerged from the desire to preserve their precious heritage by sharing it. They wanted to make it accessible to all those who need a little break from everyday life and want to immerse themselves in the world of Sicilian enjoyment. With a lot of love and dedication they blended their affinity for coffee, food, and Sicilian culture into an ambiance of warmth and kindness.
Here’s What I Tried:
Drinks:
Pistachio (iced), a creamy, comforting latte infused with the rich, nutty flavor of Sicilian pistachios. Made with smooth espresso, steamed milk, and a sweet pistachio blend, then topped with whipped cream, pistachio drizzle, and crushed pistachios. A luxurious treat that brings the warmth and flavor of Sicily to your cup. It is both scrumptious and hearty, it is just the perfect drink to be paired with all their lovely food items.
Cappucino:
A beloved Italian classic made with expertly brewed Morettino espresso, topped with perfectly steamed milk and a silky foam crown. Balanced, creamy, and aromatic, this cappuccino delivers a smooth yet bold coffee experience complete with delicate latte art for that authentic café touch. Ideal for breakfast or an indulgent afternoon break.
Focaccia:
Mortadella and Pistachio Focaccia, with soft and golden focaccia filled with pistachio pesto, mortadella, burrata, chopped pistachio, basil, and balsamic glaze. The focaccia is crispy and the of ingredients really put this sandwich on the top of my list.
Tonno Focaccia, with soft and golden focaccia filled with olive oil, tuna, mozzarella oregano, red onions, olives, tomatoes, arugula, and balsamic glaze. This is a tuna sandwich that you could only dream about, it hits all the right notes, a true winner.
Arancino:
Classico Rago Arancino, crispy rice ball filled with beef ragù, peas, and melted cheese. Served with tomato sauce. Subtle rich flavors and the ragu makes this arancini the best I have ever had!
Salad:
Salad Burrata Pomodora, a combination of simple ingredients, sweet cherry tomatoes, burrata, and baby arugula, with their signature balsamic glaze, every bite was perfection.
Pinsa:
Salame and Burrata Pinsa, with salami, creamy burrata, tomato sauce, and fresh arugula. The crust is other worldly, it is just so good.
Bianca Pinsa, with ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino, provolone, parmesan, lemon zest, and basil. This combination really got my taste buds excited, truly wonderful.
Dessert:
Classic Cannolo, a beloved Sicilian pastry featuring a crisp, golden-brown shell filled with rich, and sweet ricotta cream. Topped with crushed pistachios, chocolate chips, and a light dusting of powdered sugar, it’s a great way to end my glorious lunch.
Bombolone, classic Italian doughnut, soft inside, golden outside. with tiramisu gelato. What can I say – except for save room!
Market Items:
Truffle-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil brings a rich, earthy flavor to your dishes, perfect for risotto, pasta, and sauces. Made with premium olive oil and fine truffles, it adds a gourmet touch to everyday meals. It really is so elegant and robust, just the perfect addition to any homemade pasta dish.
Balsamico Glaze, Antica Italia Balsamic Glaze is a rich, velvety glaze made with authentic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena I.G.P., perfect for enhancing both sweet and savory dishes. With no artificial additives, it adds a gourmet touch to salads, meats, cheese, and desserts. This was on my salad, and it is so amazing, I just had to try it on my own salads at home.
Pesto Potato Chips deliver the bold, herby taste of Ligurian pesto in a crispy chip — your gourmet Italian snack, anytime, anywhere. I am so hooked, it just has the perfect pesto flavors, so great!
Classic Potato Chips deliver Italy’s beloved golden crunch with just potatoes, oil, and salt — simple, authentic, and irresistibly crisp, just the best.
One of their staff members, Juhm Diallo made me have so much fun, he is just a very lively person, who will make you laugh and for sure put a smile of your face, I just adored him. But I have to say all of their staff members seem to really love their jobs and bring sparkle to everything they do!
The vibe is pure Italian down to their playlist which is old school Italian music, so fun! Everything about Castanea Sicilian Cafe is the real deal, if you have ever been to Italy then you would know, and if you haven’t even more reason to try this super authentic café
Locations:
Beverly Hills
252 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 08:00 PM daily
Castanea Venice Beach
1307 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM –
Fri – Sun 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Castanea Hollywood
615 N. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
(Only Pick-up and delivery)
